Fighting against discontinuation

[CurtisEss]

Like a lot of other people who read it, I was pretty disappointed at the rumored 2013 discontinuation list. The fact that this list has not been confirmed (to my knowledge) notwithstanding, the question remains: do we as a community of patrons of Habanos SA have any recourse against these cuts?

I read a 2010 thread that proposed a petition and a letter writing campaign against some pretty rough deletions that year, but it seems like most or all of those cigars that were scheduled for deletion in 2010 are still gone in 2013. Did anything else come of this list? It is one thing to know that your favorite cigar is potentially on the chopping block, but it's another to know there's nothing you can do about it.

[Ophidion]

If the cigars are really that good then it shouldn't be a secret to anyone and people will continue to buy them.

[PaulP]

Simply supply and demand. Habanos will discontinue cigars that do not sell well.

[ramon_cojones]

This is one reason why I dislike people keeping their favorite CCs as a secret and not wanting to share the unheralded names of some great ones like the RG PC, SCDLH EP, Boli CJ etc...

This, khomeinist and I were talking about it last year.

[CurtisEss]

Supply and demand is definitely relevant, but there are some cigars that have been discontinued that were difficult to find when they were being produced because supply always seemed to outstrip demand. Perhaps HSA doesn't 'feel' that demand up the supply chain. This is something that Rob might be able to shed more light on.

Perhaps this type of thing doesn't happen much in freer markets with antitrust legistlation and those of us who live in such places are just spoiled.

[mm12]

If the cigars are really that good then it shouldn't be a secret to anyone and people will continue to buy them.

As I understand it, the problem is that most of HSA's sales come from guys who aren't regular smokers buying a 10 box of Monte 2's or RyJ Churchill tubos from duty free at the airport. If they make the Behikes look shiny enough, he might just buy those instead for 3x the price. Never in a million years is he going to walk out of that store with a box of Partagas Serie du Connaisseur no. 1.

[El Presidente]

Supply and demand is definitely relevant, but there are some cigars that have been discontinued that were difficult to find when they were being produced because supply always seemed to outstrip demand. Perhaps HSA doesn't 'feel' that demand up the supply chain. This is something that Rob might be able to shed more light on.

Perhaps this type of thing doesn't happen much in freer markets with antitrust legistlation and those of us who live in such places are just spoiled.

They are clueless in many ways (there goes my next visa application to Cuba )

Couple of points

1. Cabinets of 50 are going the way of the Dinosaur. Excluding shorts and PLPC they should be supplied subject to distributor order request. When they have orders for 25,000 sticks in that format (and that may be a total comprising 1/2 a dozen distributors) supply them.

* This should also go for other cigars...LGC MO2, RA 898, Partagas SDC1/2/3/. Right now the option does not exist.

2. 10's are popular. However they can't make money on curved wooden boxes holding 10 cigars......ala 898. Purge it.

3. They have not changed the way they determine the supply and demand chain for 60 years. However the way cigars are being distributed and marketed has changed immensely. A new model needs to be implemented so that they are not missing out on sales and are satisfying their zealot base.(see point 1 as a potential example).

The formulae for mediocrity = Take one multinational + a Communist Government...Divide by equal parts mistrust, disillusionment and incompetence = the Cuban Cigar Industry.

ROI is the basis upon which most things are being done currently. However in fairness they are facing some problems.

1. They are likely to lose Duty Free sales in the next 10 years (WHO program to eliminate Duty Free Tobacco). This currently comprises 26% of their total sales.

2. Plain packaging legislation over the next 10 years. i suspect most of Asia and the EU will fall into line.

3. Shrinking of retail display opportunities. How many small and medium sized tobacconists outside the USA these days stock more than tubes+Cohiba+ Montecristo + Jose Piedra/Quintero cheapies?

Nothing is ever truly discontinued. The blends are known etc. What is required is a new distribution mechanism for which right now they have no clue how to enact.

[polarbear]

I'd be happy if HSA discontinued a cigar for 2-5 years and then re-released it as a LE, RE or LCDH.

I'd kill to be able to have a readily available supply of Ramon Allones 898's

[andy]

2014 Germany.

Maybe so but at a greatly inflated price compared to original production

[Zacapa]

Perhaps having a complete catalogue of 55+rg cigars will lead to a shortage of volado leaves and they will be forced to make skinnier cigars

[polarbear]

. 2014 Germany.

Looks like I'll need to make some German friends.

Any idea of price or should I just sell my spare kidney now?

Rob, what are the chances of these coming back in reg production if all 4000 boxes sell out within a year?

I was kinda hoping something similar would happen with Diplomatico due to the popularity of the Spanish RE

I know a lot of people are missing the 898 something cronic.

[in0gravity]

Looks like I'll need to make some German friends.

Any idea of price or should I just sell my spare kidney now?

Rob, what are the chances of these coming back in reg production if all 4000 boxes sell out within a year?

I was kinda hoping something similar would happen with Diplomatico due to the popularity of the Spanish RE

I know a lot of people are missing the 898 something cronic.

Nothing on the price yet.